National News

Man banned for no-hands driving

Video still issued by North Yorkshire Police showing Richard Newton, 36, driving at 60mph with no hands on the A171 near Scaling Dam reservoir in August of last year, as he has been banned from driving for 12 months at Scarborough Magistrates Court.

A man has been banned from driving after he was videoed by police driving with no hands at 60mph.

Richard Newton, from Whitby, was filmed by a police camera with both hands on his head as he continued along the busy road for 25 seconds.

The 36-year-old was today convicted of dangerous driving and handed a 12 month ban at Scarborough Magistrates' Court.

He was also fined a total of £685 and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

The police said he committed the offence on the A171 near Scaling Dam reservoir at around 6.20pm on Friday, August 9, last year and said a number of vehicles passed him on the opposite side of the road.

Dave Brown, from North Yorkshire Police's Mobile Safety Camera Team, said: "This case demonstrates two things, one is the sheer stupidity of some people who put others in danger, and the other is the ability of our safety camera to capture a range of offences.

"This is yet another case which shows that these cameras are about safety and not just speeding. We will take action against all manner of offences to ensure we keep our roads as safe as possible for everyone."